By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted November 30, 2023

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced it will hold auditions for the All Catholic Chorus, All Catholic Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Strings.

All Catholic Music Festivals is an Archdiocese of Philadelphia music program featuring high school students from the five-county region. This opportunity is open to students who attend Archdiocesan or private Catholic high schools throughout the five-county region. The auditions will be held on two separate occasions.

The All Catholic Chorus audition will take place Monday, Dec. 4 from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School located at 611 Wistar Road in Fairless Hills.

The All Catholic Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Strings audition will take place Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. located at Archbishop Wood High School located at 655 York Road in Warminster.

Each year students must audition to perform in all ensembles. If selected, students attend a three-day festival under the direction of a renowned conductor. The festivals are held at various Archdiocesan and private Catholic high schools, where members rehearse throughout the day while the school continues to operate.

During the fall, audition registration opens. Students who are interested in auditioning should contact the music director in their respective schools. Students prepare the required material to audition at the beginning of November. All Catholic ensemble members are notified of their acceptance by early December.

Select ensembles meet one week prior to the festival, and students reconvene several days later for three days of intense, focused practice. Instrumentalists and vocalists work closely with their conductor during the festival to master difficult repertoire. All ensembles will perform for the public at the culmination of the festival.

Sister Lauretta Linsalata, I.H.M., Chairperson, Secondary Visual and Performing Arts Program & Festival Coordinator, serves as the Director of the All Catholic Music Festivals.

For more information about All Catholic Music, please visit allcatholicmusic.org.